U.S. patent number 5,389,966 [Application Number 07/755,472] was granted by the patent office on 1995-02-14 for film image input system for reproducing a film image on a t.v. screen.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kazuo Ikari, Ryo Imai.
United States Patent |
5,389,966 |
Ikari , et al. |
February 14, 1995 |
Film image input system for reproducing a film image on a T.V.
screen
Abstract
A film image input system is disclosed which provides an
increased degree of feedom of design thereof, can be reduce the
size and costs thereof, and can execute a trimming operation with
ease. The film image input system forms an image of a developed
still photo film 134 on a light receiving surface of an image
pickup element 140 through a zoomable taking lens 138 and outputs
to a monitor TV an image signal photo-electrically converted by the
image pickup element 140 to thereby reproduce the film image on the
screen of the monitor TV. The film image input system comprises at
least one mirror 137 interposed between the photo film 134 and
taking lens 138 for bending the optical axis of the taking lens
138, a mirror drive mechanism 168 for inclining the mirror 137 in
all directions, and an operation part 170 for driving the mirror
drive mechanism 168 in order to execute a desired scanning. This
allows the system to be made compact and increases the freedom of
design of the system.
Inventors: |
Ikari; Kazuo (Tokyo,
JP), Imai; Ryo (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
(Kanagawa, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
27571539 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/755,472 |
Filed: |
September 5, 1991 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Sep 14, 1990 [JP] |
|
|
2-245113 |
Jan 18, 1991 [JP] |
|
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3-004638 |
Jan 18, 1991 [JP] |
|
|
3-004639 |
Mar 8, 1991 [JP] |
|
|
3-043780 |
Mar 11, 1991 [JP] |
|
|
3-044918 |
Mar 11, 1991 [JP] |
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|
3-044919 |
Mar 11, 1991 [JP] |
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3-044920 |
Aug 22, 1991 [JP] |
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3-211171 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/98;
348/335 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/195 (20130101); H04N 1/3875 (20130101); H04N
2201/0077 (20130101); H04N 2201/0404 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/387 (20060101); H04N 1/195 (20060101); H04N
005/253 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/214,209,225,41,54,55
;359/196,197,200,214,223,226,362,363,364,430,555,871,872,873 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Razavi; Michael T.
Assistant Examiner: Ho; Tuan V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak &
Seas
Claims
We claim:
1. A film image input system which forms an image of a developed
still photo film on a light receiving surface of an image pickup
element through a mirror and a single focus lens and outputs to a
monitor TV an image signal photo-electrically converted by the
image pickup element to thereby reproduce the film image on the
screen of the monitor TV, said film image input system
comprising:
a rotary mechanism including said mirror, single focus lens and
image pickup element and capable of varying the length of an
optical path extending from said photo film to said image pickup
element by means of rotation of said rotary mechanism;
mirror drive means for rotating said mirror on said rotary
mechanism and for moving said mirror along an optical axis of said
single focus lens;
lens drive means for moving said single focus lens along the
optical axis thereof on said rotary mechanism;
detect means for detecting an angle of rotation of said rotary
mechanism and for outputting an output signal; and
control means, in accordance with said output signal of said detect
means, for controlling said mirror drive means so that the image
light of said photo film can enter said image pickup element at a
right angle and for controlling said lens drive means so that said
single focus lens can be moved to a focusing position thereof at
which said image is focused on said light receiving surface,
wherein zooming of said film image can be achieved by means of
rotation of at least said rotary mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a film image input system and, in
particular, to a film image input system which forms an image of a
developed still photo film on a light receiving surface of an image
pickup element through a taking lens, converting the image into an
image signal photo-electrically by the image pickup element, and
outputting the image signal to a monitor TV, thereby reproducing
the film image on the screen of the monitor TV.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is known a film image input system which
picks up an image of a developed still photo film by an image
pickup element such as a CCD or the like, converts the image into
an image signal, and outputs the image signal to a monitor TV.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 42, the conventional film image
input system 1 includes a lighting unit 4 to project an
illuminating light to the developed still photo film 2, a taking
lens 6 and the image pickup element (CCD) 8 which are all disposed
on the same axis. In particular, the film 2 is disposed on the
optical axis of the lighting unit 4 and taking lens 6, and the
light projected from the lighting unit 4 illuminates the image
recorded in the film 2. The light that has transmitted through the
film is condensed by the taking lens 6 and is focused on the CCD 8,
in which the image recorded on the film 2 is converted into the
image signal and is then output. In this manner, the film image can
be reproduced .on the monitor TV connected to the film image input
system 1.
Also, according to the prior art, there are known other types of
film image input systems which respectively include a zoom
mechanism used to vary an image magnification, a film scan
mechanism (X-Y moving mechanism), an image sensor rotating
mechanism and the like (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,924, 4,485,406,
4,506,300 and so on).
Further, there has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,419 patent
publication a film image input system which uses a single focus
lens as a taking lens, moves the single focus lens to vary an image
magnification, and also moves a CCD to thereby achieve a focusing
action.
However, due to the fact that the conventional film image input
system 1 is constructed in such a manner that the lighting unit 4,
taking lens 6 and CCD 8 are arranged in a line, the whole system is
large in size and long and narrow in shape which results in the
limited freedom of design of the system. Also, if the system is
constructed in such a manner that the single focus lens and CCD can
be moved to thereby vary the image magnification, the whole system
becomes further larger in size. Further, if the CCD is moved, it is
difficult to provide wires within the system without performing
signal processings such as amplification and the like, because a
signal from the CCD is faint. For this reason, in this case, a
signal process circuit must be moved together with the CCD.
Also, when only an image within a necessary range is taken out from
one frame of a film and the image is displayed (trimmed) on the
entire screen of the monitor TV, it is necessary to select the
image magnification properly and at the same time to move (scan)
the film 2 or taking lens 6 in the longitudinal and transverse
directions by use of an X-Y moving mechanism 9. Therefore, it is
necessary to secure a space to move the film 2 and taking lens 6
with respect to each other within the range of one frame of the
film image, which increases the size of the film image input
system.
Further, when the trimming is executed in this type of film image
input system, it is necessary to zoom the taking lens and to scan
the film. However, when the trimming is executed once, because the
portion of the film that is not displayed on the monitor TV is not
known, zoomings and scannings must be performed very frequently in
a fine adjustment time when the portion to be looked at is searched
or the framing is executed, which results in the complicated
operations. Also, to find out the frame to be looked at from a film
having a large number of frames, the frame must be found by feeding
the film frame by frame, which requires much time and takes
pains.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims at eliminating the drawbacks found in
the above-mentioned conventional film image input system.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a film
image input system which provides a large freedom of design and can
be reduced in both size and cost.
It is another object of the invention to provide a film image input
system which can display which range of one frame an image being
currently displayed on a monitor TV is, can improve the
operationability thereof in the zooming and scanning operations
thereof, and also can search easily and quickly for a frame to be
looked at on a monitor TV from the film having a large number of
frames.
In order to achieve the above objects, according to the invention,
there is provided a film image input system which forms an image on
a developed still photo film on a light receiving surface of an
image pickup element through a mirror and a single focus lens, and
outputs to a monitor TV an image signal photo-electrically
converted by the image pickup element to thereby reproduce the film
image on the screen of the monitor TV, the film image input system
comprising: a rotary mechanism including the above-mentioned
mirror, single focus lens and image pickup element and rotatable to
thereby vary the length of an optical path from the above-mentioned
photo film to the image pickup element; mirror drive means for
rotating the mirror on the rotary mechanism and for moving the
mirror in a direction of the optical axis of the single focus lens;
lens drive means for moving the single focus lens on the rotary
mechanism in the optical axis direction of the single focus lens;
detect means for detecting the angle of rotation of the rotary
mechanism; and control means, in accordance with the output of the
detect means, for controlling the mirror drive means in such a
manner that the light of the image of the photo film enters
perpendicularly the image pickup element and for controlling the
lens drive means in such a manner that the single focus lens is
moved to a focusing position, wherein the film image is zoomed by
means of rotation of the rotary mechanism.
Also, according to the invention, there is provided a film image
input system which forms an image on a developed still photo film
on a light receiving surface of an image pickup element by means of
a zoomable taking lens, outputs to a monitor TV an image signal
photo-electrically converted by the image pickup element to thereby
reproduce the film image on the screen of the monitor TV, the film
image input system comprising: at least a mirror interposed between
the photo film and taking lens for bending the optical axis of the
taking lens; mirror drive means for inclining the mirror in all
directions; and, operation means for driving the mirror drive means
in order to execute a desired scanning operation. Also, in the case
of two mirrors, the system includes mirror drive means for
controlling the mirror drive means to drive the two mirrors in such
a manner that the two mirrors are inclined at a given relationship
in order for the optical axis of the taking lens to intersect the
surface of the photo film. Further, in the case of a mirror, the
system includes film drive means which carries the photo film
thereon and inclines the photo film in all directions, and means
for controlling the mirror drive means and film drive means in such
a manner that the mirror and photo film are inclined at a given
relationship in order for the optical axis of the taking lens to
intersect the surface of the photo film.
Further, according to the invention, there is provided a film image
input system which forms an image on a developed still photo film
through a mirror and a zoomable taking lens on a light receiving
surface of an image pickup element and outputs an image signal
photo-electrically converted by the image pickup element to a
monitor TV to thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of the
monitor TV, the film image input system comprising: film feed means
for feeding the frames of the photo film by feeding the photo film
and for allowing scanning of the film image in a direction of
feeding the film; mirror drive means for inclining the mirror only
in one direction to thereby scan the film image in a direction
perpendicular to the film feeding direction; and, operation means
for driving the film feed means and mirror drive means to thereby
execute a desired scanning operation.
Still further, according to the present invention, there is
provided a film image input system which forms an image on a
developed still photo film through a zoomable taking lens on a
light receiving surface of an image pickup element and outputs a
first image signal photo-electrically converted by the image pickup
element to thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of a
monitor TV, the film image input system comprising: a zoom
mechanism for varying the image magnification of the taking lens; a
scan mechanism for moving the photo film and taking lens to each
other; operation means for outputting zoom information and scan
information; control means for controlling the zoom and scan
mechanisms in accordance with the zoom and scan information output
from the operation means; an image memory for storing a second
image signal representing an image of the whole of one frame of the
photo film; frame generating means for generating a frame signal
representing a trimming frame having a size and a position
corresponding to the zoom and scan information in accordance with
the zoom and scan information output from the operation means; and,
image combining means, in accordance with the first and second
image signals and the frame signal, for generating a third image
signal to display in combination within one screen a picture
displaying an image of the whole of one frame in combination with
the trimming frame and a picture displaying only the image within
the trimming frame, and for outputting the third image signal to
the monitor TV. Also, the film image input system further includes
image combining means for generating a third image signal to
display a combined image composed of the image of the whole one
frame and the trimming frame in accordance with the second image
signal and the frame signal, and picture switch means for
outputting either of the first and third image signals to the
monitor TV. In addition, the film image input system further
includes first memory means for storing the zoom information and
scan information output from the operation means, second memory
means for storing the zoom information and scan information to
display the image of the whole of one frame; control means for
controlling the zoom and scan mechanisms in accordance with the
zoom information and scan information output from the first memory
means or the second memory means; image combining means, in
accordance with the first image signal and the frame signal, for
generating a second image signal representing a combined image
produced by combining a photographed image with the trimming frame;
and, picture switch means for, during the trimming operation,
outputting to the control means the zoom information and scan
information stored in the second memory means and outputting the
second image signal to the monitor TV, and, at the time of
completion of the trimming operation, for outputting to the control
means the zoom information and scan information stored in the first
memory means and outputting the first image signal to the monitor
TV.
Yet further, according to the present invention, there is provided
a film image input system which forms an image on a developed still
photo film through a zoomable taking lens on a light receiving
surface of an image pickup element and outputs to a monitor TV an
image signal photo-electrically converted by the image pickup
element to thereby reproduce the film image on the screen of the
monitor TV, the film image input system comprising: film feed means
for taking up or rewinding the film frame by frame; instruction
means for instructing creation of a multi-screen; an image memory
for storing an image signal corresponding to one screen by means of
n pieces of storage portions; image process means, when the
multi-screen creation is instructed by the instruction means,
operable to compress n pieces of frame image signals output from
the image pickup element and then store the compress image signals
in the n pieces of storage portions of the image memory; screen
switch means for outputting to the monitor TV either of the image
signal from the image pickup element or the image signal stored in
the image memory; means for selecting one small screen of a
multi-screen consisting of n pieces of small screens to be
displayed on the monitor TV in accordance with the image signal
stored in the image memory; and, control means, when the
multi-screen creation is instructed by the instruction means, for
controlling the film feed means so that n pieces of frames are
photographed and controlling the screen switch means so that the
image signal from the image memory is output to the monitor TV and,
when a small screen is selected by the select means, for
controlling the film feed means so that the frame of the small
screen selected is photographed and controlling the screen switch
means so that the image signal from the image pickup element is
output to the monitor TV.
According to the present invention, there is used a single focus
lens in place of an expensive zoom lens and a film image zooming
operation is executed by rotation of a rotary mechanism. In other
words, if the rotary mechanism is rotated, then the length of an
optical path extending from the photo film to the image pickup
element is varied, the mirror disposed on the rotary mechanism is
also controlled in the rotation and position thereof so that the
image light of the photo film can enter the image pickup element
perpendicularly thereto, and the single lens is moved to a focusing
position. This allows the zooming operation. Here, because the
optical axis of the single focus lens is bent by the mirror, the
system can be made compact. And, due to the fact that the image
pickup element is rotated together with the rotary mechanism
according to the movement of the mirror, no problem arises in
mounting the CCD and in arranging wires.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, due to
the fact that the optical axis of the taking lens is bent by at
least one mirror, the whole system can be made compact and the
freedom of design of the system can be increased and also, due to
the fact that the scanning is executed by inclining the mirror, a
space necessary for the scanning can be reduced to a minimum. Also,
by inclining the two mirrors or the mirror and film at a given
relationship so that the optical axis of the taking lens intersect
perpendicularly the surface of the photo film, focusing can be
achieved over the whole film surface even when the image
magnification is increased. Further, the photo film feeding is used
to feed the film frames and also to execute the scanning of the
film image in the film feeding direction, and the inclination of
the mirror in one direction is used to achieve the scanning of the
film image in a direction perpendicular to the film feeding
direction. Due to this, the mirror need be controlled only in one
direction for the scanning operation.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the
image combining means generates a third image signal to display two
screens in combination within one screen of the monitor TV; one is
a screen to display a combined picture of the image of the whole of
one frame and the trimming frame, the other is a screen of the
image being currently photographed within the trimming frame. When
only the image within a necessary range is taken out from within
one frame of the film and the image is trimmed to be displayed over
the entire screen of the monitor TV, the third image signal is
output to the monitor TV, whereby two screens, that is, a screen of
a combined picture of the image of the whole of one frame and the
trimming frame and a screen of the image being currently
photographed within the trimming frame are displayed in combination
within one screen of the monitor TV. Here, the image signal for the
screen including the trimming frame combined therein is generated
not only in accordance with a frame signal generated from the frame
generating means in accordance with the zoom information and scan
information output from the operation means but also in accordance
with the above-mentioned second image signal.
Therefore, according to the trimming operation (the zoom
information and scan information output from the operation means),
the trimming frame is moved within the screen of the whole of one
frame and the size of the frame is varied. By means of this, a
desired trimming operation can be executed while observing the
trimming frame within the screen of the whole of one frame. Also,
after completion of the trimming operation, only the trimming image
being currently photographed can be displayed by means of the
screen switch means.
Also, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention,
images of a plurality of frames can be displayed simultaneously in
one screen of the monitor TV and the frame to be observed can be
selected while watching the screen. In other words, if the
multi-screen creation is instructed by the instruction means, then
n pieces of frames are photographed by the taking lens while
controlling the film feed means, in particular, the frame feeding
of the film feed means. The image signal of each of n pieces of
frames output from the image pickup element is compressed and the
compressed image signal is then stored in an image memory having n
pieces of storage portions as an image signal corresponding to one
screen. And, if the image signals stored in the image memory are
output to the monitor TV, then the images of n pieces of frames can
be displayed as a multi-screen consisting of n pieces of small
screens. Then, if one of the small screens is selected while
watching the multi-screen, then the film feed means is controlled
so that the image of the frame of the small screen selected is
formed on the image pickup element through the taking lens. The
image signal from the image pickup element is output to the monitor
TV, so that the small screen selected can be displayed on the
entire screen of the monitor TV.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The exact nature of this invention, as well as other objects,
features and advantages thereof, will be readily apparent from
consideration of the following specification relating to the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of a modification of the film image input system
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the structure of interiors of the film
image input system shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a view of details of a mirror and a mirror drive
mechanism respectively shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control a
mirror when a transverse scanning operation is executed by the film
image input system shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of main portions of the film image
input system shown in FIG. 6, illustrating a standard condition
before a scanning operation is started by the film image input
system;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how an optical
axis is moved when the mirror shown in FIG. 6 is rotated
.theta..sub.x .degree. clockwise round X1 axis;
FIG. 11 is a developed view of a triangular pyramid O-ABC shown in
FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control a
mirror when a longitudinal scanning operation is executed by the
film image input system shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 13 is a developed view of a triangular pyramid O-A' B' C'
shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view used to illustrate how the mirror and
film are moved when the longitudinal scanning operation is executed
by the film image input system shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 15 is an arrow view of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a modification of the film image
input system shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a film
image input system according to the invention;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the structure of interiors of the
film image input system shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control a
mirror when a transverse scanning operation is executed by the film
image input system shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is an explanatory view used to illustrate how to control a
mirror when a longitudinal scanning operation is executed by the
film image input system shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 21 is a plan view of another mirror arrangement of the film
image input system shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 23 is a plan view of another mirror arrangement of the film
image input system shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment of a PG,17 film
image input system according to the invention;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of details of an operation part of
the film image input system shown in FIG. 24;
FIG. 26 is a view of an example of display in a monitor TV employed
in the film image input system shown in FIG. 24;
FIG. 27 is a flow chart used to explain the operation of the film
image input system shown in FIG. 24;
FIG. 28 is a view of an example of display in the monitor TV
employed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 24;
FIG. 29 is a view of another example of display in the monitor TV
employed in the film image input system shown in FIG. 24;
FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a seventh embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIGS. 31 (A) and 31 (B) are respectively views of examples of
display in a monitor TV employed in the film image input system
shown in FIG. 30;
FIG. 32 is a block diagram of an eighth embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a ninth embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 34 is a view of details of a frame detector employed in the
film image input system shown in FIG. 33;
FIG. 35 is a view of an example of a multi-screen to be displayed
by a monitor TV employed in the film image input system shown in
FIG. 33;
FIG. 36 is a view of details of an operation part employed in the
film image input-system shown in FIG. 33;
FIG. 37 is a flow chart used to illustrate the operation of the
film image input system shown in FIG. 33;
FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a tenth embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention;
FIG. 39 is a view of an example of a multi-screen to be displayed
by a monitor TV employed in the film image input system shown in
FIG. 38;
FIG. 40 is a view of details of an operation part of the film image
input system shown in FIG. 39;
FIG. 41 is a block diagram of a eleventh embodiment of a film image
input system according to the invention; and,
FIG. 42 is a schematic view of an example of a film image input
system according to the prior art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Detailed description will hereunder be given of the preferred
embodiments of a film image input system according to the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a first embodiment of
a film image input system according to the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, the film image input system 10 mainly consists of
a rotary plate 22, a rotary mechanism including a servo motor 23, a
mirror mechanism including servo motors 26, 32, a lens drive
mechanism including a servo motor 48, a control circuit 20, a
lighting unit including a light source 56 and an diffusion plate
58, and other parts.
The rotary plate 22 forming the rotary mechanism is disposed in
such a manner that it can be rotated about a center of rotation O
in a direction of arrows A-B in FIG. 1, and the rotary plate 22 can
be rotated in the arrows A-B direction by the servo motor 23 which
is disposed in the neighborhood of the center of rotation O. To the
rotation center O of the rotary plate 22 is fixed a CCD 38 which,
if the rotary plate 22 is rotated by the servo motor 23, is then
rotated in the arrows A-B direction together with the rotary plate
22. Here, it should be noted that an image process circuit 40 to
process an electric signal output from the CCD 38 is connected to
the CCD 38.
Also, the servo motor 26 forming the mirror drive mechanism is
disposed in the rotary plate 22 in such a manner that it is free to
move in a direction of arrows C-D in FIG. 1 and the servo motor 32
is fixed to the rotary plate 22. The servo motor 26 has an output
shaft on which a mirror 24 is disposed, and the servo motor 26 is
adapted to be able to rotate the mirror 24 about a point P in a
direction of arrows E-F in FIG. 1. Also, a ball nut 30 is fixed
through a shaft 28 to the servo motor 26 and the ball nut 30 is in
threaded engagement with a ball screw 34 which is connected with
the output shaft of the servo motor 32. Therefore, if the servo
motor 32 is driven, then the mirror 24 is moved in the arrows C-D
direction together with the servo motor 26.
Further, in the rotary plate 22, there is disposed a single focus
lens 42 in such a manner that it is free to move in the arrows C-D
direction. To the single focus lens 42 is fixed through a shaft 44
a ball nut 46, which ball nut 46 is in turn threadedly engaged with
a ball screw 50 connected to the Output shaft of the servo motor
48. For this reason, if the servo motor 48 is driven, then the
single focus lens 42 is moved in the arrows C-D direction.
The control circuit 20 drives and controls the servo motors 23, 26,
32 and 48 in accordance with zoom signals from a zoom switch (which
is not shown). In other words, the control circuit 20, when the
rotary plate 22 is rotated, controls the moving position of the
mirror 24 in the arrows C-D direction and the rotating position of
the mirror 24 in the arrows E-F direction such that the image light
of a developed still photo film 54 can enter perpendicularly a
light receiving surface of the CCD 38 through the mirror 24 and
single focus lens 42, and also controls the single focus lens 42
such that it is moved to a focusing position.
More particularly, assuming that a light ray passing through an
image center of a film 54 and perpendicular to the surface of the
film is expressed as L1 and the optical axis of the single focus
lens 42 (a light ray passing through the centers of the single
focus lens 42 and CCD 38) is expressed as L2, the control circuit
20 controls the position of the mirror 24 so that the rotational
center P of the mirror 24 is at a point where the light rays L1 and
L2 intersect with each other, and also controls the angle of the
mirror 24 so that an angle of incidence of light ray L1 onto the
mirror 24 is equal to an angle of reflection of the light ray L2.
Also, if a distance between the film 58 and the single focus lens
42 is expressed as a, a distance between the single focus lens 42
and the CCD 38 is expressed as b, and the focal distance of the
single focus lens 42 is expressed as f, then the position of the
single focus lens 42 is moved in such a manner that the following
equation can be satisfied: ##EQU1##
The moving positions and rotational angles of the rotary plate 22,
mirror 24 and single focus lens 42 are respectively detected by a
detector and the detect signals of the detector are respectively
input to the control circuit 20. The control circuit 20, in
accordance with the position and angle information input therein,
controls such that the mirror 24 and single focus lens 42 are
respectively at given positions and angles.
Also, if the mirror 24 is moved in such a manner to satisfy the
above-mentioned condition, then the angle of rotation of the mirror
24 is one-half the angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22 and,
for this reason, if the rotation is transmitted by means of a
reduction mechanism such as a gear train or the like, there is
eliminated the need to control the angle of rotation of the mirror
24.
Next, description will be given below of the operation of the film
image input system of the invention constructed in the
above-mentioned manner.
At first, a zoom switch on an operation panel is operated to input
to the control circuit 20 a zoom signal which is used to zoom in or
zoom out. The control circuit 20 drives the servo motor 23 of the
rotary mechanism in accordance with the zoom signal input therein
to thereby rotate the rotary plate 22.
The angle of rotation and the position of the mirror 24 as well as
the position of the single focus lens 42 are determined fixedly
with respect to the arbitrary angle of rotation of the rotary plate
22, and the control circuit 20 has a table in which data indicating
the angle of rotation and the position of the mirror 24 as well as
the position of the single focus lens 42 with respect to the angle
of rotation of the rotary plate 22 are previously stored. The
control circuit 20 reads out the respective data from the table in
accordance with the angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22, and
applies drive signals to the servo motors 26, 32 and 48 in
accordance with the data read out so that the angle of rotation and
the position of the mirror 24 as well as the position of the single
focus lens 42 provide the angle and positions corresponding to the
angle of rotation of the rotary plate 22.
By means of the above, for example, if the rotary plate 22 is
rotated in a direction of an arrow B, then the mirror 24, single
focus lens 42 and CCD 38 are respectively moved to positions shown
by broken lines and the image magnification is decreased.
Although in the above-mentioned embodiment the mirror 24 is moved
in the arrows C-D direction by the servo motor 32, alternatively,
as shown in FIG. 2, a guide groove 70 may be formed in the film
image input system 10 and the shaft 74 of the mirror 24 may be
inserted into a guide groove 72 of the rotary plate 22 and the
guide groove 70. According to such structure, if the rotary plate
22 is rotated in a direction of an arrow A in FIG. 2, then the
mirror 24 is moved along the guide groove 70.
[Second Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a
second embodiment of a film image input system according to the
invention. As shown in FIG. 3, according to the present film image
input system 130, a developed film 134 is illuminated by a light
unit 136, and an image light is reflected by a mirror 137 (which
will be described later) and an image on the film is picked up by
an image pickup device including a taking lens 138 and CCD 140.
That is, by providing the mirror 137, the optical axis 139A of the
taking lens 138 can be bent substantially at right angles, which
can increase the freedom of design of the whole system.
As the CCD 140, there is used a CCD for a reflected image, and an
image signal photo-electrically converted by the CCD 140 is output
to a monitor TV (not shown) so that a film image can be reproduced
on the screen of the monitor TV.
Also, the film 134 is a developed negative or positive film and is
stored in a film cartridge 142 having two shafts, and the film
cartridge 142 is set in a cartridge storage portion 144.
The lighting unit 136 serves also as a cover for the cartridge
storage part 144 and can be opened and closed in a direction of
arrows A-B in FIG. 3. The lighting unit 136 includes a light
source, a reflection plate and a diffusion plate: the reflection
plate reflects a light projected from the light source on to the
diffusion plate efficiently; and, the diffusion plate can turn out
the reflected light into a diffusion light. The diffusion light
illuminates the image of the film 134 and the thus illuminated film
image is then guided to the taking lens 138.
The above-mentioned mirror 137, as shown in FIG. 4, is disposed
inclined on the optical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 and CCD
140 and is rotatable about X and Y axes existing on the same plane
with the mirror 137. The X and Y axes are two axes which intersects
perpendicularly with each other. That is, the mirror 137, as shown
in FIG. 5, is disposed in a main body 130A of the film image input
system 130 through a ball 146 in such a manner that it is free to
incline in all directions. The mirror 137 is energized by springs
148, 148 such that it is pressed against the main body 130A, and
the mirror 137 is also energized by a spring 150 in a counter
clockwise direction in FIG. 5. Also, a cam surface of a cam 152 for
the X axis is in contact with the mirror 137 on the X axis, and the
cam 152 is disposed rotatable through a pin 154. To the pin 154 is
fixedly secured a gear 156, which gear 156 is in turn connected
through gears 158, 160, 162, 164 to a motor 166 for the X axis.
As described above, with reference to FIG. 5, description has been
given of the mirror drive mechanism which rotates the mirror 137
about the X axis. However, a mirror drive mechanism to rotate the
mirror about the Y axis is also constructed similarly. That is, the
mirror drive mechanism 168 shown in FIG. 4 consists mainly of the
cam 152 for the X axis, the motor 166 for the X axis and a cam for
the Y axis, a motor for the Y axis, and the like. If the X axis
motor 166 or the Y axis motor is driven, then the X axis cam 152 or
the Y axis cam is rotated to thereby rotate the mirror 137 about
the X axis or the Y axis.
Therefore, when the mirror 137 is rotated about the X axis, the
operation part 170 (see FIG. 4) is operated to drive the X axis
motor 166 of the mirror drive mechanism 168. By means of this, the
rotational force of the X axis motor 166 is transmitted through the
gears 164, 162, 160, 158, 156 to the cam 152 for the X axis. When
the X axis cam 152 is rotated, then the mirror 137 is rotated about
the X axis. Similarly, to rotate the mirror 137 about the Y axis,
the operation part 170 may be operated to drive the Y axis motor of
the mirror drive mechanism 168.
If the mirror 137 is rotated about the X axis and Y axis in this
manner, then an optical axis 139B shown in FIG. 4 is caused to
swing about the mirror 137 and, therefore, the optical axis 139B
moves on the film 134. By means of this, the film image can be
scanned. If the operation part 170 is operated to drive the zoom
mechanism 172, the image magnification can be changed. Also, the
focus mechanism 46 is used to focus the zoom lens 12.
Accordingly, by driving the zoom mechanism 172 to select the image
magnification properly and also by driving the mirror drive
mechanism 168 to scan the film image, it is possible to take out
only the image within a necessary range from one frame of the film
and to display (trim) the image over the entire screen of the
monitor TV.
Although the CCD for a reflected image is used as the CCD 140 in
the above-mentioned embodiment, this is not limitative but, if the
film 134 is set inside out, then a CCD for other than a reflected
image can also be used.
[Third Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of a third
embodiment of a film image input system according to the invention.
In FIG. 6, parts used in common with the second embodiment shown in
FIG. 4 are given the same designations and the detailed description
thereof is omitted here.
The third embodiment of the present film image input system is
different from the second embodiment mainly in that the film 134 is
also inclined. In other words, in the second embodiment of the
present film image input system, the optical axis 139B is swung as
the film image is scanned and, for this reason, the optical axis
139B fails to intersect the film surface perpendicularly. Because
of this, when the image magnification is great in which the depth
of field is shallow, focusing cannot be achieved at a place where
the angle of field of the trimming image is great. In view of this,
according to the third embodiment of the present film image input
system, the film 134 is inclined to the scanning in order for the
optical axis 139B to intersect the film surface perpendicularly,
thereby solving the above-mentioned problem found in the second
embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the mirror drive mechanism 168 rotates the
mirror 137 about the X1 axis and Y1 axis to thereby swing the
optical axis 139B so as to execute the scanning operation.
On the other hand, the film 134 is placed on film holding means
(not shown) and the film holding means is constructed in such a
manner that it can be rotated about the X2 axis and Y2 axis
existing on the same plane with the film 134 and intersecting each
other perpendicularly. A film drive mechanism 178 is constructed
similarly to the mirror drive mechanism 168 (see FIG. 5).
Therefore, if a motor for the X2 axis or a motor for the Y2 axis of
the film drive mechanism 178 is driven, then a cam for the X2 axis
or a cam for the Y2 axis is rotated to thereby rotate the film
holding means, so that the film 134 is rotated about the X2 axis or
Y2 axis.
Also, the operation part 170 outputs to the mirror drive mechanism
168 a signal to instruct an angle of rotation of the mirror 137 and
at the same time outputs the signal to a control circuit 175. The
control circuit 175, when the mirror 137 is driven to the angle of
rotation instructed, controls the inclination of the film 134
through the film drive mechanism 170 so that the optical axis 139B
to be bent by the mirror 137 can intersect the film surface
perpendicularly.
Now, description will be given below of the operation of the film
image input system in the above-mentioned manner.
At first, when scanning the image transversely, for example, if the
operation part 170 is operated to rotate the mirror 137
.theta..degree. clockwise about the Y1 axis (see FIG. 7), then the
control circuit 175 controls the film 134 to rotate
2.theta..degree. clockwise about the Y2 axis. That is, the
operation part 170 applies to the mirror drive mechanism 168 a
signal to rotate the mirror .theta..degree. clockwise. Responsive
to this, the mirror drive mechanism 168 is operated to rotate the
mirror 137 .theta..degree. clockwise about the Y1 axis, so that, as
shown in FIG. 7, the optical axis 139B bent by the mirror 137 is
rotated 2.theta..degree. clockwise.
On the other hand, the control circuit 175, when receiving the same
instruction as the rotation instruction applied to the mirror drive
mechanism 168 from the operation part 170, changes the instruction
into an instruction to rotate the film 134 2.theta..degree.
clockwise about the Y2 axis and controls the film drive mechanism
178 in accordance with this new instruction. As a result of this,
the film 134 is rotated 2.theta..degree. clockwise about the Y2
axis and the optical axis 139B rotated 2.theta..degree. by the
mirror 137 is allowed to intersect the surface of the film 134
perpendicularly.
Also, although a longitudinal scanning is operated almost similarly
to the transverse scanning, the longitudinal and transverse
scannings are different from each other in the following respects:
that is, in the case of the transverse scanning, the mirror 137 is
rotated .theta..degree. clockwise about the Y1 axis and at the same
time the film 134 is rotated 2.theta..degree. clockwise about the
Y2 axis, while in the case of the longitudinal scanning the mirror
137 is rotated .theta..sub.x .degree. clockwise about the X1 axis
and .theta..sub.y .degree. clockwise about the Y1 axis and at the
same time the film 134 is rotated .theta..degree. counter clockwise
about the X2 axis.
However, it should be noted here that an equation (1) must hold:
##EQU2##
Here, description will be given of a manner to find the
above-mentioned equation. At first, description will be given of a
manner to rotate the mirror and film when the film is scanned in
the Y2 axis direction.
When the mirror is rotated .theta..sub.x .degree. clockwise about
the X1 axis from the state thereof shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, then the
optical axis of a light incident on the lens is caused to move
between the film and mirror, as shown in FIG. 10. Here, assuming
that an arbitrary point A is taken on the optical axis between the
lens and mirror, an intersection point between a surface passing
through A and parallel to Xl, Y1 surfaces and an orthogonal
protection of the optical axis on the X1, Y1 surfaces between the
film and mirror is expresses as B, an intersection point with the
optical axis between the film and mirror is expressed as C, an
intersection point with the Z1 axis is expressed as D, and is an
intersection point with a normal of the mirror expressed as E, then
a triangular pyramid O-ABC can be obtained. A developed view of the
triangular pyramid O-ABC is shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11,
here, assuming that .angle.BOD=.alpha., DO=DA=L, then .alpha. (that
is, an angle of the light about the Y axis when the mirror is
rotated .theta..sub.x clockwise about the X axis) can be obtained
from the following equation: ##EQU3##
That is, the following equation can be obtained: ##EQU4##
From a cosine theorem, the following equation (4) can be obtained:
##EQU5##
From a sine theorem, the following equation (5) can be obtained:
##EQU6##
Next, as shown in FIG. 12, if the mirror is rotated .theta..sub.y
/2 clockwise about the Y1 axis in order that an angle formed
between the orthogonal projection of the optical axis on the X1, Y1
surfaces between the film and mirror and the Z1 axis is 45.degree.,
then the following equation is obtained:
Also, if an intersection point of a plane passing through an
arbitrary point A' on the optical axis between the lens and mirror
and parallel to the X1, Y1 planes with respect to the orthogonal
projection of the optical axis on the X1, Z1 planes between the
film and mirror is expressed as B', an intersection point of the
above plane with respect to the optical axis between the film and
mirror is expressed as C', an intersection point of the above plane
with respect to the normal of the mirror is expressed as E', and an
intersection point of the above plane with respect to the
orthogonal projection on the X1, Z1 planes is expressed as D', then
a triangular pyramid O-A' B' C' can be obtained. In FIG. 13, there
is shown a developed view of the thus obtained triangular pyramid
O-A' B' C'. In FIG. 13, if an intersection point of A' B' with
respect to the Z1 axis is expressed as F' and
.angle.B'OC'=.theta..degree. (that is, an angle .theta. formed
between the X1, Z1 planes and the optical axis obtained when an
angle of the light round the Y1 axis after the mirror is rotated
.theta. .sub.x), then the following equation (6) can be obtained:
##EQU7##
Accordingly, in order to make the film surface perpendicular with
respect to the optical axis, the film surface may be rotated
.theta..degree. counter clockwise about the X2 axis. Here, FIG. 14
is a perspective view to illustrate how the mirror and film are
rotated, and FIG. 15 is an arrow view of FIG. 14, seen from a
direction of an arrow. In this manner, the film can be scanned in
the longitudinal direction thereof. Now, .theta. of the equation
(6) can be obtained according to the following equation (7): that
is, ##EQU8##
As described above, by rotating the mirror 137 and film 134 at a
given relationship, the optical axis 139B can be made to intersect
the film 134 perpendicularly, with the result that focusing can be
achieved over the whole trimming image even when the image
magnification is great.
In FIG. 16, there is shown a block diagram of a modification of the
film image input system shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 16, parts used in
common with FIG. 6 are given the same designations and the detailed
description thereof is omitted here.
According to the film image input system shown in FIG. 6, the
signal to indicate the angle of rotation of the mirror 137 is input
from the operation part 170 to the control circuit 175, while
according to the film image input system shown in FIG. 16, there is
provided a rotation angle detector 179, the angle of rotation of
the mirror 137 is detected by use of the rotation angle detector
179, and a signal to indicate the angle of rotation of the mirror
137 is then applied to a control circuit 176.
[Fourth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a perspective view of a
fourth embodiment of a film image input system according to the
invention. In FIG. 17, parts used in common with FIG. 3 are given
the same designations and the detailed description is omitted
here.
The film image input system shown in FIG. 17 is different from the
film image input system 130 shown in FIG. 3 in that it uses 2
mirrors 137A, 137B to bend the-optical axis of the taking lens
138.
In other words, due to provision of the two mirrors 137A, 137B
interposed between the lighting unit 136 and taking lens 138, the
optical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 can be bent substantially
in a U shape and thus the freedom of design of the whole system can
also be increased.
In FIG. 18, there is shown a block diagram of the structure of
interiors of the film image input system shown in FIG. 17. In FIG.
18, parts used in common with the film image input system shown in
FIG. 6 are given the same designations and the detailed description
thereof is omitted here.
The mirror 137B, as shown in FIG. 18, is disposed inclined on the
optical axis 139A of the taking lens 138 and CCD 140 and is
rotatable about the X2 axis and Y2 axis on the same plane with the
mirror 137B. Also, the mirror 137A, as shown in FIG. 18, is
disposed inclined on the optical axis 139B which is reflected by
the mirror 137B and is bent substantially at right angles, and is
rotatable about the X1 axis, Y1 axis on the same plane with the
mirror 137A. And, the mirror 137A can be inclined about the X1 axis
and Y1 axis by a mirror drive mechanism 168A, while the mirror 137B
can be inclined about the X2 axis and Y2 axis by a mirror drive
mechanism 168B.
The operation part 170 is able to output to the mirror drive
mechanism 168A a signal for instruction of scanning to thereby
drive the mirror drive mechanism 168A. The rotation angle detectors
179A, 179B respectively detect the angles of rotation of the
mirrors 137A, 137B and output to the control circuit 177 signals
which indicate the angles of rotation detected. And, in accordance
with the detected rotation angles from the angle rotation detectors
179A, 179B, the control circuit 177 controls the mirror drive
mechanism 168B so that the optical axis 139C bent by the mirror
137A can intersect the film surface perpendicularly.
Description will be given below of the operation of the film image
input system constructed in the above mentioned manner.
At first, description will be given of a case in which the image is
scanned in the transverse direction thereof. In this case, firstly
the mirror drive mechanism 168A is driven by an instruction from
the operation part 170 so that the mirror 137A is rotated about the
Y1 axis, thereby rotating the mirror 137A .theta..degree. clockwise
about the Y1 axis, as shown in FIG. 19. The angle of this rotation
is detected by the rotation angle detector 179A and is then applied
to the control circuit 177. The control circuit 177, in accordance
with a signal applied thereto from the rotation angle detector
179A, controls the mirror drive mechanism 168B so that the mirror
137B can be rotated .theta..degree. clockwise about the Y2
axis.
As a result of this, the optical axis 139B is rotated clockwise
about the mirror 137B in FIG. 19, and the optical axis 139B is bent
by the mirror 137A to turn out an optical axis 139C which in turn
intersects the surface of the film 134 at a right angle. For this
reason, the monitor screen is moved from the screen 134A of the
film 134 to the screen 134B thereof, so that the transverse
scanning of the image can be executed. Here, the rotation angle
detector 179B feeds back to the control circuit 177 a signal to
indicate the angle of rotation of the mirror 137B.
Next, description will be given below of a case in which the image
is scanned in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this case,
firstly, the mirror drive mechanism 168A is driven by an
instruction from the operation part 170 so that the mirror 137A is
rotated about the X1 axis, thereby rotating the mirror 137A
.theta..degree. clockwise about the X1 axis as shown in FIG. 20.
The angle .theta. of this rotation is detected by the rotation
angle detector 179A and is then applied to the control circuit 177.
In accordance with a signal applied thereto from the rotation angle
detector 179A, the control circuit 177 controls the mirror drive
mechanism 168B so that the mirror 137B is rotated .theta..degree.
about the X2 axis counter clockwise (that is, in the reverse
direction as in the mirror 137A). As a result of this, the optical
axis 139B is rotated about the mirror 137B downwardly in FIG. 20,
that is, downwardly along the Y1 axis. The optical axis 139B is
bent by the mirror 137A to turn out the optical axis 139C, which in
turn intersects the surface of the film 134 at a right angle. For
this reason, the monitor screen is moved from the screen 134C of
the film 134 to the screen 134D thereof, thereby allowing the
longitudinal scanning of the image.
As mentioned above, by rotating the mirrors 137A, 137B at a given
relationship therebetween, the optical axis 139C can be made to
intersect the surface of the film 134 at a right angle, so that
focusing can be achieved over the whole trimming image even when
the photographing magnification is great.
However, although in the above-mentioned embodiment the mirrors
137A, 137B are disposed so as to be able to bend the optical axis
of the taking lens 138 substantially in an S shape, this is not
limitative but, as shown in FIG. 21, the mirrors 137A, 137B may be
disposed such that they can bent the optical axis of the taking
lens 138 substantially in a Z shape or in an S shape. This enhances
further the freedom of design of the whole system. Here, a view
drawn by a two-dot chained line in FIG. 21 is an arrow view seen
from the front sides of the mirrors. Also, even in this case as
well, by controlling the respective mirrors similarly to the
above-mentioned mirrors, the optical axis 39C can be made to
intersect the surface of the film 134 at a right angle.
[Fifth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 22, there is shown a block diagram of a fifth
embodiment of a film image input system according to the invention.
In FIG. 22, parts used in common with the second embodiment shown
in FIG. 4 are given the same designations and the detailed
description thereof is omitted here.
The fifth embodiment of the present film image input system is
different from the second embodiment of the present film image
input system in that the scanning operation is executed by means of
the rotation of the mirror 180 and by means of the feeding of the
film 134, while in the second embodiment the scanning operation is
executed by rotating one or two mirrors about the X and Y axes.
In other words, according the fifth embodiment, a mirror 180.is
constructed such that it can be rotated only about one axis (X
axis), an operation part 186 outputs to a mirror drive mechanism
182 a signal to instruct the vertical scanning of the film 134 and
outputs to a film feed mechanism 184 a signal to instruct the right
and left scanning of the film 134.
The mirror drive mechanism 182, in accordance with a signal applied
thereto from an operation part 186, rotates the mirror 180 about
the X axis, so that the optical axis 139B reflected by the mirror
180 can be made to swing in the vertical direction of the film
134.
On the other hand, a film feed mechanism 184 is able to execute the
frame feeding, winding and rewinding of the film 134 and is also
able to execute a scanning operation in the right and left
directions of the film 134 by feeding the film 134 at low
speeds.
As mentioned above, the scannings in the vertical as well as right
and left directions of the film 134 can be executed by means of the
rotation of the mirror 180 and by means of the feeding of the film
134. This provides an advantage that the support mechanism and
drive mechanism of the mirror 180 can be constructed in a
simplified manner.
Here, the number of the mirror(s) is not limited to one but, as
shown in FIG. 23, two mirrors 180A, 180B may be used. Also, a
photographing optical system shown in FIG. 23 is constructed in
such a manner that a zooming operation can be executed by moving
the mirror 180 and a single focus lens 188.
That is, the optical axis of the single focus lens 188 is bent
substantially in a Z shape by the two mirrors 180A, 180B. The
mirror 180A is rotatably disposed, and the mirror 180B is disposed
rotatably as well as movably. Also, the single focus lens 188 is
disposed in such a manner that it is movable in the optical axis
direction.
Also, by moving the mirror 180A, the length of the optical path
extending from the film 134 to a CCD 140 can be varied. And, by
rotating the two mirrors 180A, 180B at a given relationship
therebetween by use of a mirror drive mechanism (not shown)
according to the length of the optical path, the light of the image
can be guided to the single focus lens 188. Also, the single focus
lens 188 can be moved to a focusing position by means of a lens
drive mechanism (not shown) according to the length of the optical
path.
Here, when the two mirrors 180A, 180B and single focus lens 188 are
moved to the positions shown by solid lines, then the image
magnification becomes a standard magnification (for example, a
magnification at which the whole of one frame of the film 134 is
reproduced on the monitor TV); and, when they are moved to the
positions shown by broken lines respectively, then the image
magnification can be zoomed to 6 times the above-mentioned standard
magnification. Also, although in the above mentioned embodiment the
optical axis of the single focus lens 188 is bent substantially in
a Z shape by the two mirrors 180A, 180B, the optical axis may be
bent substantially in a U shape. However, when the optical axis of
the single focus lens 188 is bent substantially in a Z shape by use
of the two mirrors 180A, 180B, it is advantageous to execute a
zooming operation by moving one of the mirrors and only a small
space is required. Also, when the optical axis of the single focus
lens 188 is bent substantially in a U shape, the film, CCD and
other parts can be arranged in a different manner from the case in
which the optical axis is bent substantially in a Z shape.
[Sixth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 24, there is shown a block diagram of a sixth
embodiment of a film image input system according to the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 24, in the present film image input
system, an image on a developed film 210 is picked up by an image
pickup device including a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214, and an
image signal to indicate the pickup image is output to a frame
memory 216 and an image process circuit 220. The image process
circuit 220 executes an image processing to be discussed later,
generates a given image signal, and outputs the image signal to the
monitor TV 240. As a result of this, the image of the film 210 is
displayed in the monitor TV 240. Here, it should be noted that,
when the film 210 is a negative film, an image processing to
execute a negative/positive inversion is also performed in the
image process circuit 220.
In the operation part 230, as shown in FIG. 25, there are provided
a zoom switch 232, a scan switch 234 and a screen switching switch
236. And, responsive to the switching operations of the zoom switch
232 and scan switch 234, a zoom signal and a scan signal are
applied to a control circuit 242 and to a frame generation circuit
222 with the image process circuit 220 and, if the screen switching
switch 236 is turned on, then an enable signal is applied to an
image combination circuit 224 within the image process circuit
220.
On inputting a zoom signal from the operation part 230, the control
circuit 242 controls a zoom mechanism 244 in accordance with the
zoom signal to thereby zoom the taking lens 212 as well as to zoom
in and out the film image. Also, a focus mechanism 246 is used to
focus the taking lens 212.
Also, on inputting a scan signal from the operation part 230, the
control circuit 242 controls a scan mechanism 248 in accordance
with the scan signal to thereby scan the film image in the vertical
direction as well as in the right and left direction thereof.
Here, the movement of the film 210 in the right and left direction
(X direction) is enforced by winding or rewinding the film 210,
while the frame feeding of the film 210 is achieved by feeding the
film 210 by a given amount in the X direction. Also, the scanning
of the film image in the upward and downward (vertical) direction
as well as in the right and left direction can also be executed by
moving the taking lens 212. Further, the CCD 214 can be rotated
.+-.90.degree. by a CCD rotating mechanism (not shown), which
enables the present system to be applied to a case where the film
image is picked up longitudinally in the film 210.
The frame memory 216 is a memory which stores an image signal for
one frame and outputs the image signal to the image combination
circuit 224. The frame memory 216 updates its memory content each
time one frame of the film 210 is fed. Here, when one frame of the
film 210 is fed, the taking lens 212 is limited to a standard
magnification previously set (for example, a magnification at which
a film image of the whole of one frame is placed into the entire
screen of the monitor TV 240) and, for this reason, an image signal
output from the frame memory 216 provides an image signal to
indicate the film image of the whole of one frame.
The frame generation circuit 222, in accordance with the zoom
signal and scan signal input thereto from the operation part 230,
generates a frame signal to indicate a trimming frame 241 having a
size and a position corresponding to the zoom and scan signals and
then applies the frame signal to the image combination circuit
224.
The image combination circuit 224 is disabled when a screen
switching switch 236 of the operation part 230 is off and, when
image signals are input sequentially from the CCD 214, outputs the
image signals to the monitor TV 240 as they are. As a result of
this, the film image being currently photographed is displayed over
the entire screen of the monitor TV 240. On the other hand, the
image combination circuit 224 is enabled when the screen switching
switch 236 is turned on and an enable signal is applied thereto,
and performs the following image processings.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 26, the image combination circuit
224 generates an image signal which allows display of an image
consisting of a screen 240A of the monitor TV 240 and a small
screen 240B combined therein. Here, to generate the image signal of
the image within the small screen 240B, an image signal may be
generated which consists of the image of the whole of one frame and
a trimming frame 241 combined therewith in accordance with an image
signal applied from the frame memory 216 and in accordance with a
frame signal applied from the frame generation circuit 222, and the
thus generated image signal may be then compressed. And, the image
signal of the above-mentioned small screen 240B and a current image
signal sequentially input from the CCD 214 are switched to thereby
create an image signal of an image including the small screen 240B
combined into a given position of the screen 240A.
Due to the fact that the frame generation circuit 222 outputs to
the image combination circuit 224 a frame signal corresponding to a
trimming operation in the operation part 230 (a zoom signal output
from the zoom switch 232 and a scan signal output from a scan
switch 234), the trimming frame 241, if the zoom switch 232 is
operated, is varied in size within the small screen 240B and, if
the scan switch 34 is operated, it is moved within the small screen
240B. Due to this, a desired trimming operation can be performed
while observing the trimming frame 241 within the small screen
240B.
Next, description will be given below of the operation of the
above-mentioned film image input system with reference to a flow
chart shown in FIG. 27.
At first, if a frame feeding instruction is output from a frame
feeding button (not shown) of the operation part 230 (Step 300),
then the frame feeding of the film 210 is controlled (Step 302). In
the frame feeding, the taking lens 212 picks up the film image at a
previously set standard magnification, thereby allowing the frame
memory 216 to store an image signal for one frame (Step 304).
Next, it is checked whether the screen switching switch 236 is
turned on or not (Step 306). When the screen switching switch 236
is off, then the program advances to Step 308, in which only the
film image being currently picked up is displayed on the whole
screen of the monitor TV 240 and after then the program returns
back to Step 300.
On the other hand, if the screen switching switch 236 is off, then
the program advances to Steps 310 and 312. And, if a trimming
operation using the zoom switch 232 and scan switch 234 is
performed (Step 310), then a trimming frame corresponding to the
trimming .operation is created and the trimming frame is combined
into the screen 240A as a small screen 240B, and after then the
program returns back to Step 300 (Step 312). As a result of this,
the image being currently picked up within the trimming frame is
displayed in the screen 240A, and the image of the whole of one
frame and the trimming frame 241 are displayed in the small screen
240B (see FIGS. 26 and 28).
And, if a frame instruction is absent (Step 300) and the screen
switching switch 236 is turned on, then a monitor display is made
according to the trimming operation. Also, if the frame is fed by
the frame feeding instruction, then the storage content of the
frame memory 216 is updated to an image signal of a new film image,
so that a trimming operation of the new film image can be performed
similarly to the above-mentioned case.
Although in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 28, the image
of the whole of one frame and the trimming frame are displayed in
the small screen and the image being currently picked up is
displayed in the portions of the screen other than the small
screen, this is not limitative but, as shown in FIG. 29, the image
of the whole of one frame and the trimming frame may be displayed
in the portions of the screen other than the small screen and the
image being currently picked up within the trimming frame may be
displayed in the small screen. Also, there may be provided screen
switching means which switches the screen shown in FIG. 28 and the
screen shown in FIG. 29.
[Seventh Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 30, there is shown a block diagram of a
seventh embodiment of a film image input system according to the
present invention. In FIG. 30, parts used in common with the film
image input system shown in FIG. 24 are given the same designations
and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In accordance with the zoom signal and scan signal input from the
operation part 230, the frame generation circuit 252 generates a
frame signal to indicate a trimming frame 241 (see FIG. 31 (A))
having a size and a position corresponding to the input zoom and
scan signals, and then outputs the frame signal to an image
combination circuit 254.
The image combination circuit 254, in accordance with the image
signal applied from the frame memory 216 and the frame signal
applied from the frame generation circuit 252, as shown in FIG. 31
(A), creates an image signal consisting of the image of the whole
of one frame and the trimming frame 241 combined therewith, and
outputs the thus created image signal to a contact 256B of a
switching switch 256. Also, to the other contact 256A of the
switching switch 256 is being applied from a CCD 214 an image
signal which indicates the film image being currently picked
up.
Now, if the screen switching switch 236 is turned off and a movable
contact 256C of the switching switch 256 is connected to the
contact 256B, then the image signal created by the image
combination circuit 254 is applied to the monitor TV 240 and, as
shown in FIG. 31 (A), an image consisting of the image of the whole
of one frame and the trimming frame 241 combined therewith is
displayed. Due to the fact that the frame generation circuit 252
outputs to the image combination circuit 254 a frame signal
corresponding to a trimming operation (that is, a zoom signal
output from a zoom switch 232 and a scan signal output from a scan
switch 234) in the operation part 230, the trimming frame 241 is
varied in size within the screen of the monitor TV 240 if the zoom
switch 232 is operated, and is moved within the screen if the scan
switch 234 is operated. By means of this, a desired trimming
operation can be executed while observing the trimming frame 241
within the screen of the monitor TV 240.
On the other hand, in the above-mentioned display state, if the
screen switching switch 236 is turned on and the movable contact
256C of the switching switch 256 is connected to the contact 256A,
then an image signal from the CCD 214 is applied to the monitor TV
240 and, as shown in FIG. 31 (B), the image being currently picked
up within the trimming frame 241 is displayed.
[Eighth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 32, there is shown a block diagram of an
eighth embodiment of a film image input system according to the
present invention. In FIG. 32, parts used in common with the
seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 30 are given the same designations
and the detailed description thereof is omitted here.
The film image input system shown in FIG. 32 is different from the
film image input system shown in FIG. 30 in that, in place of the
frame memory 216 and switching switch 256 shown in FIG. 30, there
are provided a ROM 262, a RAM 264 and a switching switch 266.
In ROM 262, there are previously stored a zoom signal to indicate a
standard magnification and a scan signal to indicate a standard
position. On the other hand, in RAM 64, there are stored the latest
zoom signal and scan signal which are applied from the operation
part 230. Also, in the switching switch 266, if the screen
switching switch 236 of the operation part 230 is turned on/off,
then the movable contact 266C thereof is switched to the contact
266A or to the contact 266B and further the image combination
circuit 254 is enabled only when the switching switch 266 is turned
off.
Next, description will be given below of the operation of the
above-mentioned film image input system.
At first, if the screen switching switch 236 is turned off, then
the movable contact 266C of the switching switch 266 is switched to
the contact 266B, so that the zoom signal to indicate the standard
magnification and the scan signal to indicate the standard position
respectively stored in ROM 262 are applied to the control circuit
242 and at the same time an enable signal is applied to the image
combination circuit 254 to thereby enable the image combination
circuit 254. Accordingly, the control circuit 242 controls the zoom
mechanism 244 to execute a zooming operation such that the taking
lens 212 provides the standard magnification and also controls the
scan mechanism 248 to execute a scanning operation of the film
image in the upward and downward direction as well as in the right
and left direction thereof such that the scan position provides the
standard position. As a result of this, an image signal to indicate
the film image of the whole of one frame is applied from the CCD
214 to the image combination circuit 254.
Here, if the zoom switch 232 and scan switch 234 of the operation
part 230 are operated, then a zoom signal and a scan signal
respectively corresponding to the operations of these switches are
stored in RAM 264 and at the same time a frame signal corresponding
to these operations is applied from the frame generation circuit
252 to the image combination circuit 254, in which image
combination circuit 254 the image signal of the whole of one frame
is combined with the frame signal. As a result of this, a combined
image of the image of the whole of one frame and the trimming frame
41 is displayed on the screen of the monitor TV 240, as shown in
FIG. 31 (A).
On the other hand, to display on the monitor TV 240 only the image
within the trimming frame that is trimmed in the above-mentioned
manner, the screen switching switch 236 is turned on, so that the
movable contact 266C of the switching switch 266 is changed over to
the contact 266A and at the same time the image combination circuit
254 is disabled. By means of this, a zoom signal and a scan signal
respectively corresponding to the above-mentioned trimming frame
are applied from RAM 264 to the control circuit 242 and the zoom
mechanism 244 and scan mechanism 248 are controlled in accordance
with these zoom and scan signals. As a result of this, only the
film image within the above-mentioned trimming frame is picked up
and an image signal to indicate the film image is output through
the image combination circuit 254 to the monitor TV 240.
[Ninth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 33, there is shown a block diagram of a ninth
embodiment of a film image input system according to the present
invention. In FIG. 33, parts used in common with the film image
input system are given the same designations and the detailed
description thereof is omitted here.
The present film image input system mainly consists of an image
pickup device including a taking lens 212 and a CCD 214 to pick up
an image on a developed film 210 and output an image signal, a
frame detector 270, a control circuit 272, an operation part 274, a
film feed mechanism 276, an image process circuit 278, a frame
memory 280, and a switching switch 284.
The frame detector 270 outputs a frame detect signal to the control
circuit 272 each time one frame of the film 210 is fed. The frame
detector 270, as shown in FIG. 34, mainly consists of a sprocket
270A engageable with a perforation 210A of the film 210, a disc
270B including the same number of blades as the number of teeth of
the sprocket 270A to be rotatable together with the sprockets 270A,
a photo interrupter 270C for detecting the blades of the disc 270B,
and a counter 270D for counting the number of detect signals (pulse
signals) applied from the photo interrupter 270C. The counter 270D,
each time when the count value thereof reaches the number of
perforations for one frame of the film 210, outputs a frame detect
signal to the control circuit 272.
The operation part 274, as shown in FIG. 36, includes frame feed
buttons 274A and 274B which are respectively used to feed the
frames of the film 210 one by one in the forward and reverse
directions, a multi-screen forming button 274C, a multi-screen
display button 274D, a select mark moving button 274E, and a select
button 274F. The operation part 274 outputs to the control circuit
272 signals according to the button operations of these
buttons.
The control circuit 272, responsive to the various signals applied
thereto from the operation part 274, controls a film feed mechanism
276, an image process circuit 278, a character generator 282 and a
switching switch 284, as will be discussed later. Also, the control
circuit 272 has a function to count the number of the frame detect
signals applied from the frame detector 270 and detect the number
of the frame being currently picked up.
The image process circuit 278 becomes operable if a signal to
indicate the formation of the multi-screen is applied thereto from
the control circuit 272 and, for this reason, as shown in FIG. 35,
the image process circuit 278 compresses an image signal input from
the CCD 214 in order to form one of 16 small screens constituting
the multi-screen and then stores the compressed image signal in a
given storage portion of the frame memory 280 corresponding to the
current frame number. The frame memory 280 has 16 storage portions
and stores the image signals of the respective frames compressed in
the respective storage portions. That is, the image signals of the
multi-screen are to be stored in the frame memory 280.
The character generator 282, as shown in FIG. 35, is used to output
to an addition point 286 a character signal to indicate a select
mark 282A in order for the select mark 282A to be superimposed on
the multi-screen. To the character generator 282 is applied from
the control circuit 272 a signal which indicates the number of the
frame selected according to the operation of the select mark moving
button 274E. And, the character generator 282, in accordance with
the signal indicating the frame number input in the above-mentioned
manner, outputs a character signal to the addition point 286 at a
timing corresponding to the position of the frame selected.
The switching switch 284, if the movable contact piece 284C thereof
is switched over to the contact 284A, outputs to the monitor TV 240
the image signal of the multi-screen applied from the frame memory
280 and the character signal applied from the character generator
282, while the switching switch 284 outputs to the monitor TV 240
the image signal applied from the CCD 214 if the movable contact
piece 284C is switched over to the contact 284B.
Next, description will be given below of the operation of the
above-constructed film image input system with reference to a flow
chart shown in FIG. 37.
At first, the control circuit 272 checks from the operation state
of the multi-screen forming button 274C whether a multi-screen
forming mode is set or not (Step 320). Here, if the multi-screen
forming button 274C is pushed once and the multi-screen forming
mode is set, then the control circuit 272 sets the frame number n
for 1 (Step 322), compresses the image signal of the film image
being currently picked up by means of the image process circuit
278, and then allows the compressed image signal to be stored in
the storage portion A.sub.n (n=1) of the frame memory 280 (Step
324).
Next, it is checked whether the frame number n has reached 16 or
not (Step 326). If the frame number n is found smaller than 16,
then the film feed mechanism 276 is controlled until the frame
detect signal is applied from the frame detector 270 to move the
film 210 to thereby feed one frame (Step 328), the frame number n
is incremented by 1 (Step 330), and after then the program returns
back to Step 324. And, until the frame number n reaches 16, that
is, until the image signals are stored in all of the storage
portions A.sub.n of the frame memory 280, the processings from Step
324 to Step 330 are executed repeatedly.
If the image signal corresponding to the multi-screen is stored in
the frame memory 280 in the above-mentioned manner, then the thus
stored image signal and the character signal applied from the
character generator 282 are output through the switching switch 284
to the monitor TV 240 and, as shown in FIG. 35, the select mark
282A is superimposed on the multi-screen for display (Step 332). In
this state, if the select mark moving button 274E is operated, then
the select mark 282A is moved on the multi-screen responsive to the
operation of the button 274E and at the same time the number of the
frame in which the select mark 282A is being displayed is stored in
the control circuit 272.
Here, if the select button 274F is turned on (Step 334), then the
frame in which the select mark 282A is being displayed is selected,
and the control circuit 272 controls the film feed mechanism 276 in
order that the selected frame is to be photographed (Step 336), and
also switches the movable contact piece 284C of the switching
switch 284 to the contact 284B to thereby output to the monitor TV
240 the image signal of the selected frame, so that the selected
frame can be displayed on the entire screen (Step 338).
On the other hand, when the multi-screen forming button 274C is not
pushed once in Step 320, then the program advances to Step 340, in
which step it is checked whether the multi-screen should be
displayed or not. In other words, if the multi-screen display
button 274D is pushed once, then the program advances to Step 332,
in which the movable contact piece 284C of the switching switch 284
is switched to the contact 284A to display the multi-screen again
and a frame selection is executed similarly to the above-mentioned
case. Also, if the multi-screen display button 274D is not pushed
once, then the program advances to Step 336, in which by operating
the frame feed button 274A or 274B the film 210 is frame fed frame
by frame in a forward or reverse direction, thereby making it
possible to select a frame to be displayed on the entire
screen.
[Tenth Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 38, there is shown a block diagram of a tenth
embodiment of a film image input system according to the present
invention, in which parts used in common with the ninth embodiment
are given the same designations.
As shown in FIG. 38, the present film image input system mainly
consists of an image pickup device including a taking lens 212 and
a CCD 214, a frame detector 270, a film feed mechanism 276, a
control circuit 288, an operation part 290, a zoom mechanism 244,
and an image process circuit 292.
The operation part 290, as shown in FIG. 40, includes a search
screen moving buttons 290A and 290B, a search mode button 290C, and
select buttons 290D, 290E, 290F. The operation part 290 outputs to
the control circuits 288 signals which correspond to the operations
of these buttons.
Responsive to the various signals applied thereto from the
operation part 290, the control circuit 288 controls the film feed
mechanism 276, zoom mechanism 244 and image process circuit 292, as
will be discussed later.
Now, if in the operation part 290 the search mode button 290C is
pushed once, then the control circuit 288 outputs a zoom signal to
the zoom mechanism 244 to thereby zoom the taking lens 212 so that
the taking lens 212 can provide an angle of field which allows the
film images of three frames to be picked up simultaneously. As a
result of this, the film images of three frames are displayed on
the monitor TV 240, as shown in FIG. 39. At the same time, the
control circuit 288 also outputs an enable signal to the image
process circuit 292 to thereby enable the image process circuit
292, with the result that the image process circuit 292 executes a
mask processing and other processings in order that other images
than the film images of three frames cannot be displayed on the
monitor TV 240.
Here, if the frame to be observed is absent in the display screen,
then the search screen moving button 290A or 290B is pushed once.
If the search screen moving button 290A or 290B is pushed once, the
control circuit 288 outputs a frame feed signal to the film feed
mechanism 276 to thereby move the film 210 by three frames in a
forward direction or in a reverse direction by means of the film
feed mechanism 276.
On the other hand, if the frame to be observed is present in the
display screen, then one of the select buttons 290D, 290E, and 290F
is pushed once which corresponds to the frame. If one of the select
buttons 290D, 290E and 290F is pushed once, then the control
circuit 288 outputs a zoom signal to the zoom mechanism 244 to zoom
the taking lens 212 so that the taking lens 212 provides an angle
of field to allow the film image of one frame to be displayed on
the entire screen. At the same time, the control circuit 288 also
outputs a disable signal to the image process circuit 292 to
disable the image process circuit 292, thereby prohibiting the mask
processing by the image process circuit 292.
Further, if the select button 290D or 290F is pushed once, then the
control circuit 288 outputs a frame feed signal to the film feed
mechanism 276 to thereby move the film 210 by one frame in a
forward direction or in a reverse direction by means of the film
feed mechanism 276. This makes it possible to select quickly the
frame to be displayed on the entire screen.
[Eleventh Embodiment]
Referring now to FIG. 41, there is shown a block diagram of an
eleventh embodiment of a film image input system according to the
present invention, in which parts used in common with the ninth
embodiment are given the same designations.
As shown in FIG. 41, the present film image input system mainly
consists of an image pickup device including a taking lens 212 and
a CCD 214, a frame detector 276, an operation part 274, a film feed
mechanism 276, a control circuit 294, an image process circuit 296,
and a frame memory 298.
When comparing the ninth and eleventh embodiments with each other,
the eleventh embodiment is different from the ninth embodiment
mainly in that the frame memory 298 has storage portions
corresponding a plurality of frames. That is, if in the operation
part 274 the multi-screen forming button 274C is pushed once and
thus a multi-screen forming mode is set, then the control circuit
294 controls the film feed mechanism 276 to frame feed the film 210
by a given number of frames (for example, by four frames)
sequentially and also controls the image process circuit 296 to
allow the frame memory 298 to store the image signals of these
frames sequentially.
When the image signals of the given number of frames are stored in
the frame memory 298 in the above-mentioned manner, then the image
process circuit 296 reads out the image signals of all frames from
the frame memory 298, compresses these image signals respectively
to thereby generate an image signal corresponding to a multi-screen
consisting of a given number of frames, and outputs the image
signal to the monitor TV 240. As a result of this, the multi-screen
consisting of a given number of frames can be displayed on the
monitor TV 240.
And, if one frame is selected from the multi-screen by the
operation part 274, then the image process circuit 296 reads out an
image signal of the selected frame from the frame memory 298, and
outputs the image signal to the monitor TV 240. As a result of
this, only the selected frame can be displayed on the entire screen
of the monitor TV 240.
As has been described heretofore, according to the film image input
system of the invention, due to the fact that the optical axis of
the takings lens is bent by use of the mirror, the whole system can
be made compact, it is possible to supply a taking lens of a
variable image magnification by use of an inexpensive single focus
lens, and there is eliminated the need to move the image pickup
element independently to thereby avoid inconveniences provided when
the image pickup element is moved.
Also, according to the present invention, due to the fact that the
film image is scanned by adjusting the angle of inclination of the
mirror, the scan mechanism can be made compact and also, due to the
fact that the optical axis of the taking lens is bent by the
mirror, the whole system can be made compact and the freedom of
design of the whole system can be expanded. Further, due to the
fact that the mirror and the film or two mirrors are rotated at a
given relationship therebetween to thereby allow the optical axis
of the taking lens to always intersect the surface of the film at a
right angle irrespective of the scan positions, focusing can be
achieved over the whole image even if the image magnification is
great and the depth of field is shallow,
Moreover, according to the present invention, due to the fact that,
when performing a trimming operation, a screen to display a
combined picture of an image of the whole of one frame and a
trimming frame and a screen to display the image being currently
picked up within the trimming frame are displayed in combination
within one screen, a desired trimming operation can be executed
while observing the trimming frame. Also, the image being trimmed
and the image of the whole of one frame can be confirmed at the
same time and further it is possible to display only the trimming
image after the trimming operation is completed. In addition, due
to the fact that a plurality of frames can be displayed
simultaneously on the monitor TV and a desired frame can be
selected while observing the display screen of the monitor TV, it
is possible to search a film having a large number of frames for
the desired frame easily and quickly.
It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to
limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternate
constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
* * * * *